In Orsk, a city in the Orenburg region, traffic police intercepted a suspect believed to be responsible for abducting a Gazel minibus after a high‑speed, armed pursuit. This development was confirmed by the regional interior ministry. Officers noticed the Gazelle minibus driving at night with its lights off. The vehicle did not stop when signaled to pull over by law enforcement, triggering a pursuit that intensified the focus on public safety in the area.
According to the traffic police, the officers issued two visual warnings from their patrol vehicles, followed by a volley of three shots aimed at the vehicle’s rear tire to disable it and bring the van to a controlled stop. The incident caused the minibus to lose control, and, after the tire damage, the driver positioned the vehicle in such a way that it ultimately rolled over. Authorities reported that no injuries occurred as a result of the crash, and the scene was secured for further investigation.
The driver was eventually detained by law enforcement. A preliminary investigation revealed that the minibus had been stolen from an unsecured location, with keys left in the vehicle, and that the suspect had a prior history of theft and lacked a valid driver’s license. As a result, a criminal case was opened in connection with the theft, and the suspect was taken into custody for questions related to the broader incident involving the vehicle abduction.
Earlier information indicated that the suspect had been in the vicinity of Cherepovets prior to the incident, but subsequent reports confirmed that the principal events unraveled in Orsk. The sequence of events underscores the seriousness of vehicle theft and the potential danger to bystanders during nighttime operations. The authorities emphasized that public safety remained the primary objective throughout the pursuit, the stop, and the subsequent detainment of the individual, with the investigation still ongoing to determine all details surrounding the case and any potential accomplices or related offenses. [Citation: regional interior ministry]